Substitute Special Education Teacher / Paraprofessional (ESN)

Job Description

Job Description

Job Title: Substitute Special Education Teacher / Paraprofessional
Location: Building Connections Academy - Martinez, CA
Hours: In-person, Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM - 3:00 PM
Compensation: $30-$35 per hour while assigned as a Substitute Special Education Teacher; $22-$28 per hour while assigned as a Paraprofessional. Rates are based on experience, credentials, certification, and education.
FLSA Status: Full-Time, Hourly (Non-Exempt)

About Building Connections Academy:
At Building Connections Academy (BCA), we believe every child deserves a place where they feel seen, supported, and inspired to grow. We are a nonpublic school serving students with mild to moderate and extensive support needs (ESN), creating a learning environment that is inclusive, engaging, and full of possibility. Our team is passionate about empowering students to discover their strengths, build meaningful relationships, and develop the confidence to thrive both in and out of the classroom.

Learn more at bcaschools.com.

Position Overview:
This is a dual-role position supporting Building Connections Academy as both a Substitute Special Education Teacher and Paraprofessional based on school staffing needs.

When teacher coverage is needed, the employee will serve as a Substitute Special Education Teacher and will be paid the applicable substitute teacher rate of $30-$35 per hour. When not assigned to provide teacher coverage, the employee will work as a Paraprofessional and will be paid the applicable paraprofessional rate of $22-$28 per hour.

While serving as a Substitute Special Education Teacher, the employee provides classroom coverage during teacher absences and supports the continuation of specialized instruction for K-8 students with disabilities, including students with extensive support needs (ESN). This includes following established lesson plans, Individualized Education Programs (IEPs), accommodations, modifications, behavior support plans, and classroom routines.

While serving as a Paraprofessional, the employee works under the direction of the classroom teacher and school team to provide individualized behavioral, academic, communication, social, functional, and daily living support to students.

In both roles, the employee works collaboratively with teachers, BCBAs, Paraprofessionals, Behavior Interventionists, administrators, and other school staff to maintain a safe, structured, inclusive, and supportive learning environment.

Key Responsibilities:

When Serving as a Substitute Special Education Teacher:

• Provide classroom instruction and supervision during teacher absences.
• Follow established lesson plans, classroom schedules, routines, and instructional expectations.
• Implement students’ IEP goals, accommodations, modifications, and supports as directed.
• Provide specialized instruction across academic, social, emotional, behavioral, and functional domains.
• Implement established evidence-based instructional strategies and adapt classroom activities to meet diverse learning needs.
• Follow established Behavior Intervention Plans (BIPs), behavior support strategies, safety plans, and crisis-response procedures.
• Collect and document student data, classroom observations, behaviors, and other relevant information as directed.
• Provide guidance and direction to paraprofessionals and behavior support staff to maintain established classroom routines and student programming.
• Support students with communication, self-care, functional, and daily living skills as required by their individual programs.
• Maintain a positive and inclusive classroom environment that encourages participation, engagement, independence, and learning.
• Communicate relevant classroom information, student concerns, incidents, or significant events to school administration and the assigned teacher.
• Maintain student confidentiality and comply with school policies and special education requirements.

When Serving as a Paraprofessional:

• Provide individualized behavioral and educational support to students in the school setting.
• Work under the direction of classroom teachers, BCBAs, and other designated school staff.
• Implement individualized student programs and collect data to track progress.
• Support students in developing communication, social, academic, play, self-help, and daily living skills.
• Implement behavior support strategies and student Behavior Intervention Plans (BIPs) as directed.
• Provide prompting, reinforcement, redirection, and other appropriate supports based on individual student needs.
• Encourage student independence, participation, and positive relationships.
• Assist students with personal care and self-care needs as required by their individual programs.
• Support classroom routines, transitions, activities, and instructional programming.
• Maintain a safe, structured, and engaging learning environment.
• Collaborate with teachers, BCBAs, Behavior Interventionists, and other school staff to support student progress.
• Collect accurate and objective data and communicate relevant observations or concerns to the appropriate team member.

Required Qualifications:

• Clear DOJ/FBI background check.
• Valid California substitute teaching permit, teaching credential, or other California Commission on Teacher Credentialing (CCTC) authorization permitting day-to-day substitute teaching.
• Ability to serve as a Substitute Special Education Teacher within the scope and limitations of the credential or permit held.
• Registered Behavior Technician (RBT) certification or willingness to become certified within 90 days of employment; paid training is provided.
• Experience or demonstrated interest in working with children and students with disabilities.
• Ability to follow established IEPs, instructional plans, accommodations, modifications, behavior support plans, and classroom procedures.
• Patience, flexibility, dependability, and a compassionate approach when working with students with disabilities.
• Excellent communication, collaboration, and organizational skills.
• Ability to work effectively with students who may require significant academic, behavioral, communication, functional, or self-care support.
• Required immunizations including MMR (Measles, Mumps, Rubella), Tdap (Tetanus, Diphtheria, Pertussis), Varicella (Chicken Pox), Hep B, and TB clearance (within 4 years).

Desired:

• Valid California Education Specialist Instruction Credential in Extensive Support Needs (ESN), Mild to Moderate Support Needs, or equivalent special education authorization.
• Bachelor’s Degree in Education, Special Education, Psychology, Child Development, or a related field.
• Previous teaching, substitute teaching, paraprofessional, or behavioral support experience in a special education setting.
• Background or experience in Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) and/or collaboration with BCBAs and Behavior Interventionists.
• Experience teaching or supporting K–8 students with autism or other developmental disabilities.
• Familiarity with Individualized Education Programs (IEPs), Behavior Intervention Plans (BIPs), accommodations, modifications, and special education classroom practices.
• Familiarity with adaptive curriculum, instructional technology, and classroom differentiation.

Benefits:

• Medical, dental, and vision benefits for qualifying employees.
• 401(k) with employer matching.
• Paid sick leave.
• Paid training and professional development opportunities.
• Mileage reimbursement between worksites, when applicable.
• Employee referral bonuses.
• Opportunities for professional growth within a collaborative team.

Work Environment & Physical Requirements:

• Ability to work in a school environment serving students with a wide range of needs, including mild to extensive support needs.
• Ability to provide behavioral, academic, functional, and personal-care support based on individual student needs.
• Physical demands may include standing, sitting, kneeling, squatting, running, walking, lifting up to 50 lbs., and actively supporting students in crisis situations.

Note:

This is a dual-role position, and the employee’s hourly rate will vary according to the assignment being performed. Hours worked as a Substitute Special Education Teacher will be compensated at the Substitute Special Education Teacher rate of $30–$35 per hour. Hours worked as a Paraprofessional will be compensated at the Paraprofessional rate of $22–$28 per hour.

Substitute teaching assignments will be made in accordance with the authorization and assignment limitations of the employee’s California teaching credential or substitute teaching permit.

This job description is a general overview and may be subject to modification based on the needs of Building Connections Academy and its students.